LIST OF DAWS SOFTWARE | DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATIONS
This is a listing of DAWS and DAW type software programs that have been available for the musician over the last few years. There are a few that may not be supported so make sure to check them out thoroughly. You may find a few gems though. We also have a BEST DAWS review page you can investigate.
AUDIO + MIDI
ABLETON LIVE
This DAW software and music sequencer is available in WIndows & MAC
We have an extensive review here on Ableton Live here.
ACID
This professional DAW software was originally published by Sonic Foundry.
Sony merged with SF and created Sony Creative Software. However in 2016 MAGIX of Germany acquired the bulk of their creative software including ACID & ACID PRO.
ANVIL STUDIO
A free Midi Program allowing the creator to record, compose, sequence and play with music.
Anvil Studio can record from microphones, mixers, guitars, etc with a sound card and line-input jack. Connect the preamp output of your mixer to the line input of your sound card.
AUDIO MULCH
This software is for live performance, audio processing, sound design and music composition and was developed by a small team based in Melbourne, Australia.
BITWIG STUDIO
A Music Production and Performance System for Windows, MacOS & Linux. Workflow allows you to Streamline your ideas into complete compositions.
Runs on Linux, MAC & WIndows
NUENDO
Professional workflows for Game Audio, Post Production for TV & Film and ADR – voice recording and language dubbing.
MOTU DIGITAL PERFORMER
Singular streamlined workflow in a consolidated window with MIDI, Audio & Virtual instruments.
FL STUDIO
A complete software music production environment to compose, record, edit, arrange, mic & master. Some of the features include Scalable interface, Drag and Drop and resampling support
Runs on MAC & WIndows
FRINIKA
A free music workstation software for Linux, Windows, Mac OSX and other operating systems running Java.
It features sequencer, soft-synths, realtime effects and audio recording.
DARKWAVE STUDIO
Free Windows Software with the following features:
- Virtual Studio that has a modular design which allows machines to be connected in an ad-hoc way
- Pattern Editor allowing for fast creation and modification of patterns. The user can add or delete notes by clicking or dragging notes to resize or move them
- Sequence editor to queue patterns for each control track to play in any arrangement. This allows the reuse of patterns and rapidly remixing music projects.
- Multitrack Hard Disk Recorder enables the user to record the output of any machine and record it to 16-bit Integer or 32-bit Floating Point PCM encoded WAV files for a full-quality post-production editing session or for the conversion to MP3/FLAC/etc.
MUSE
Open Source Sequence the Complete Multi-track Virtual Studio for LINUX. Originally developed by Werner Schweer it is now maintained by the MusE development crew.
| MIDI Sequencing | AUDIO SEQUENCING |
| Realtime record/playback, file import/export | Realtime Record/Playback several mono/stereo inputs/outputs |
| Midi editing with: Piano roll, Drum editor, List view, Score editor | Graphical editing of automation |
| Internal synth plugins including:Fluidsynth soundfont (sf2) capable softsynth Deicsonze FM synth emulating DX11 | Several types of audio tracks -Audio inputs -Audio outputs -Wave tracks -Group tracks -Aux outputs |
| Standardized synth plugin formats: DSSI, VST, LV2 | Standardized plugin formats: LADSPA, DSSI, VST, LV2 |
| Support for multi channel synths | Drag and drop import and arranging of: -Plugins and plugin presets -Parts -Midi files -Audio files -Aux outputs |
| External synth support both hardware and software | |
| Midi transformer | |
| Midi editing plugin support |
REAPER
REAPER’s can be used commercial and home studios, broadcast, location recording, education, science and research, sound design, game development, and more.
Runs on Linux, MAC & WIndows
SAMPLITUDE PRO
Flexible solution for music and film audio recording. Record in up to 384 kHz and intuitive track compiling and includes range of modern and classic software instruments. Produce music with groove boxes, synthesizers and authentic sampler instruments from a variety of countries and eras. .
SEQUOIA
Developed for the studios that focus on audio production, broadcasting, post-production, mastering for industry leader, TV productions and broadcasters.
MUSIC MAKER
This Free Version of Music Maker comes with 425 sound & loops, 3 software instruments, 8 tracks and 8 effects with additional free Sound pools. You can also upgrade to Plus or Premium.
SAW STUDIO
Looks like the last release for this product was October 2016 but we like to keep things around you just never know and them demo download worked last time we checked.
TEMPER
A MIDI+Audio sequencer with an emphasis on MIDI. Temper provides a straight-forward user interface which can be integrated with your other software via drag-and-drop, advanced sync functionality, or seamlessly as a VST.
Although Temper is no longer for sale the developer still uses it and will improve as time and interest warrants according to the website. There is a completely free and fully functional version that’s still available.
USINE HOLLYHOCK
Originally created by Olivier Sens and used to manipulate treatment in sound. USINE has morphed into the company Sensomusic and the DAW into Usine Hollyhock. A professional Audio, Video, DMX Modular software for MAC & PC.
CAKEWALK
Cakewalk Sonar the iconic DAW developed by Cakewalk Inc a brand of Gibson Brands has been relaunched as Cakewalk by Bandlab after BandLab Technologies aquired the IP of Cakewalk. Early access is avaible for Windows.
Cakewalk has been around for over 30 years with Grammy & Emmy winning producers, composers, sound designers, and engineers using the software to produce audio for the professional music, film, broadcast, and video game industries. It was sold off in February 2018 to the Singapore company BandLab Technologies after development had stopped by Gibons in November of 2017.
ADOBE AUDITION
Digital Audio Editing software to create, mix, restore and design audio content and sound effects.
This powerful audio workstation tool-set includes multi track, waveform, and spectral display.
ARDOUR
A free Midi Program allowing the creator to record, compose, sequence and play with music.
This open source software is a collaborative effort of a worldwide team which includes musicians, programmers, and professional recording engineers.
It allows you to Record, Edit and Mix on Linux, OS X & Windows.
Runs on Linux, MAC & WIndows
AUDIOGL
A Modular Synthesizer and Sequencer.
It is designed to immerse the user into understanding that electronic music centers around a basic set of principals.
CUBASE
Intelligent tools for cutting-edge digital audio workstations for composition, recording, editing & mixing.
ENERGY XT
This music creation software was first released in 2003 and was developed as an alternative to the big MIDI/audio sequencers for the PC and Mac.
GARAGE BAND
Fully equipped studio to create music on your Mac computer and includes a sound library with session drummers & percussionists, presets for guitar and voice.
LMMS
A Free Cross Platform tool (Linux, Windows & MAC) for making music on your computer and built by a small number of volunteers.
Runs on Linux, MAC & Windows
MULTITRACKSTUDIO
Music Recording Studio for your computer with Audio/MIDI multitrack software for Windows & MAC. Audio Recording | Editing | Mastering | MIDI Recording | Mixing
NTRACK
Studio quality recording, editing and mixing software. n-Track Studio brings you professional audio quality and easy workflow and is also available for iPhone & iPad. n-Track Studio for iOS is the multitrack recording & mixing app.
It can export recordings in mixed down wave or even in multitrack.sng format so that you can load the multitrack projects with the PC (Windows & Mac) version of n-Track. Exchange recordings between desktop and mobile versions of n-Track.
OHMSTUDIO
Ohm Studio is a real-time collaborative digital audio workstation which allows you to work online with partners from all over the world. Get creative, invite musicians and make amazing shit together.
Here is a track created by user MQE2345
Ohm Studio is a non text related, desktop based, real time collaborative editor.
PODIUM
Podium is a modern digital audio workstation (DAW) for Windows. It supports recording and editing of audio and MIDI, and hosts VST instrument and effect plugins.
PROTOOLS
QTRACTOR
An Audio/MIDI multi-track sequencer.
Runs on Linux
REASON
Developed by the Swedish company Propellerhead, this DAW allows for recording, editing, mixing, remixing with an array of samplers, mixers, signal processors and digital musical instruments.
ROSEGARDEN
Based around a MIDI sequencer that features a music notation and includes basic support for digital audio, Rosegarden is a music composition and editing environment that runs on Linux.
PRESONUS STUDIO ONE
This DAW is known for allowing the creativity of the user rather than having the software get in the way. It boasts a fast, flow-oriented, drag-and-drop, non bloated interface. Allowing the end user – musician, producer, engineer – to get things done faster.
TRACKTION T6
T6 DAW is a Free full version, completely unlimited Digital Audio Workstation Software for all music creators. There isn’t plugin limitations or track limits, and is available for Mac, Windows, or Linux operating systems.
TRACKTION WAVEFORM
Waveform is specifically designed for music producers with the focus on music production rather than trying to appeal to the broader user groups like film score, live sound or performance.
Runs on Linux, MAC & WIndows
WIRED
Wired aims to be a professional music production and creation software running on the Linux operating system. It brings musicians a complete studio environment to compose and record music without requiring expensive hardware. Note: This software hasn’t been updated since 2013.
MIDI ONLY
- Domino
- Hydrogen
- javaDAW
- musagi
- Numerology
- RapidComposer
- RaX'n'TraX
- Renoise
- Seq24
- Synfire Pro
If you come across any other DAWS or similar type programs add the details to the comments and we’ll update the lists. If you notice any inconsistencies let us know we’ll fix those too:)
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